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TI-2026-36236 Aliases CVE-2026-48980

pam_usb: getenv() used in PAM context allows environment variable injection into local-check logic

Priority LOW 29CWE-454Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
Low
User interaction
None
Attack complexity
High
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · None
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

pam_usb provides hardware authentication for Linux using removable media. In versions prior to 0.9.2, getenv() environment variables XRDP_SESSION, DISPLAY and TMUX allow environment variable injection into local-check logic. These environment variables influence whether a current session is local or remote, and a PAM module that runs in the context of setuid binaries (sudo, su), getenv() returns attacker-controlled values whenever the process environment has been manipulated by a local user. This issue has been fixed in version 0.9.2.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00175 7th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed pam_usb (mcdope): 0.9.2

SSVC decision points

CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3

Exploitation
None
Automatable
No
Technical impact
Total

The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
mcdopepam_usbbefore 0.9.20.9.2Patch availableCNA
  • pam_usb Vendormcdope Affected before 0.9.2 Fixed in 0.9.2 Patch available CNA

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA pam_usb (mcdope) Fixed in 0.9.2

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-48980

References

Other 2

  • TI-2026-35505 pam_usb: PAM_RHOST check skipped when deny_remote=false allows XDMCP authentication bypass CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
  • TI-2026-32598 pam_usb: Symlink attacks on pad directory and pad files enable authentication bypass and root file corruption CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.9
  • TI-2026-32596 pam_usb: PINENTRY_FALLBACK_APP environment variable allows arbitrary command execution CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2026-32600 pam_usb: Command injection via $TMUX environment variable leads to RCE as root CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2026-32599 pam_usb: Shell injection via device UUID and username in pamusb-conf and pamusb-agent CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.2
  • TI-2026-34849 pam_usb: deny_remote feature incorrectly classifies IPv4-mapped IPv6 remote connections as local CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.4
See all 21 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences